CPL 2024 Archives

Nicholas Pooran breaks Mohammad Rizwan’s three-year-old T20 record

West Indies wicketkeeper batter Nicholas Pooran broke his Pakistan counterpart Mohammad Rizwan’s record of scoring the most T20 runs in a calendar year.

Pooran achieved the milestone during the 30th match of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2024 between Trinbago Knight Riders and Barbados Royals.

Nicholas Pooran needed just five runs to go past Mohammad Rizwan’s record of 2,036 runs, set in 2021, and he achieved the milestone in the first over of the Knight Riders’ innings.

Nicholas Pooran has now amassed an astonishing 2,059 runs from 65 innings, with a remarkable strike rate of 160.63.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Earlier, the in-form batter also broke Chris Gayle’s record of hitting the most sixes in a calendar year.

Pooran has thus far hit more than 150 sixes in the year 2024, surpassing Gayle, who hit 135 sixes in 2015.

In the ongoing CPL 2024, Pooran has amassed 312 runs from nine innings at a strike rate of 175.28. His recent performance helped secure a 30-run victory against Barbados Royals.

South Africa’s Reeza Hendricks trails behind with 1,555 runs, followed by Pakistan’s Babar Azam with 1,480 runs.

READ: Rohit Sharma admits risking collapse to defeat Bangladesh in Kanpur Test

WATCH: Imad Wasim’s dismissal creates chaos in CPL 2024

Pakistan’s all-rounder Imad Wasim, representing Antigua & Barbuda Falcons in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2024, was in the middle of a major controversy in their game against Trinbago Knight Riders.

Chaos erupted in the 20th match of the tournament when the Pakistani all-rounder was controversially given out by the third umpire.

The incident unfolded when West Indian spinner Sunil Narine appealed for an LBW against Imad Wasim.

After the on-field umpire ruled in Wasim’s favour, Trinbago Knight Riders went for a DRS review.

The third umpire, after reviewing replays of the LBW, overturned the original decision and declared the Pakistani all-rounder out.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The decision, however, did not sit well with the left-handed batter, who was visibly frustrated and exchanged a few words with the on-field umpire.

After pleading his case that the ball first made contact with his bat before hitting his pad, Imad Wasim had to walk off the field.

As he was walking, the Pakistani all-rounder signalled to spectators to watch the replay of his dismissal, which according to him was wrong.

Curtly Ambrose, part of the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons’ support staff for the CPL 2024, also showed his frustration with the decision.

Things escalated further when Imad Wasim was recalled after the umpires discussed the decision, leading Trinbago Knight Riders captain Kieron Pollard to confront the umpires.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ghazanfar Abbas (@ghazanfar141272)

It was then Pollard’s turn to engage in an intense discussion as he protested the umpires’ decision to recall the Pakistani all-rounder back into the ground despite him crossing the boundary curtains.

However, the on-field umpires allowed Imad Wasim to resume batting, making it one of the rare instances in cricket where a player returned to the crease after walking off.

In an earlier game at the CPL 2024, Imad Wasim left his teammates and commentators in shock with his lacklustre fielding display.

During their game against Barbados Royals, Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir delivered a short ball, which Quinton de Kock ramped fine over the wicketkeeper’s head.

As the ball was going towards the boundary, Imad Wasim, stationed at deep third-man, casually jogged towards the ball instead of sprinting to stop the boundary.

The Antigua and Barbuda Falcons captain then replaced him with another fielder as a video showed Imad leaving the deep third-man boundary.

READ: Pacers strengthen India’s command in first Test against Bangladesh

Dwayne Bravo set to retire from CPL after 2024 season

West Indies’ T20 great Dwayne Bravo has announced to retire from the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) after the conclusion of the ongoing 2024 edition.

Bravo, who is part of Trinbago Knight Riders in CPL 2024, announced his decision through a social media post ahead of his side’s opening game against St Kitts & Nevis Patriots.

“It’s been a great journey and I’m looking forward to playing my final professional tournament in front of my Caribbean people,” Bravo posted on Instagram. “TKR is the place where everything started for me and will end with my team.”

Dwayne Bravo is currently the leading wicket-taker in the history of CPL with 128 wickets in 103 matches and has also scored 1155 runs with the bat.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

He is one of the most decorated players in CPL history, having won five trophies with three as captain.

Bravo is also the most successful wicket-taker in T20 cricket with 630 wickets in 578 games, while also scoring 6,970 runs.

Although he is retiring from CPL, he will be in action in other leagues as MI Emirates have retained him for the third season of ILT20.

Notably, he bid adieu to international cricket three years ago after West Indies was knocked out of the ICC t20 World Cup 2021.

WATCH: Azam Khan suffers bizarre dismissal after being hit on neck

WATCH: Azam Khan suffers bizarre dismissal after being hit on neck

Pakistan’s wicketkeeper batter Azam Khan on Friday, coped with a bizarre dismissal in the second match of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2024.

Azam, representing Guyana Amazon Warriors in the recently-commenced tournament was hit by Antigua and Barbuda Falcons’ pacer Shamar Springer’s bouncer.

The incident occurred on the third delivery of the 12th over of the run chase when Springer bowled a short-pitched delivery just outside off and Azam charged down the pitch and got late for the pull shot.

The ball hurried away onto the right-handed batter and thudded on his neck after brushing his right shoulder and deflected onto the stumps.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lucky||Cricket edits (@cricketreelz_7)

Azam Khan then fell to his knees, visibly in pain, resulting in the team physio rushing towards him. After receiving medical attention he was helped on his way to the dressing room by the physio.

The hard-hitting batter managed to score a run-a-ball nine with the help of one boundary.

For the unversed, Azam Khan’s side Guyana Amazon Warriors cruised to a thrilling three-wicket victory courtesy of Dwaine Pretorius, who smashed 18 runs off the final over bowled by Mohammad Amir.

The left-arm pacer started well as he barred Pretorius from scoring with a delivery, angled across and out of the batter’s arc.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

He then looked to cramp the batter in his legs with a yorker but bowled a low full toss instead and paid the price as Pretorius hit it for a boundary behind square.

Pretorius glimmered a ray of hope for the Warriors with another boundary towards the same region.

After being hit for consecutive boundaries, Amir seemed to have recovered as he bowled a dot ball but faltered on the penultimate delivery as he pitched it a bit short while attempting to bowl a wide yorker and was hit for the third four in the over.

Warriors then needed four runs off the last ball and Mohammad Amir went again for the wide yorker but bowled a fraction short into the slot. Pretorius lined it up, went through the line and smashed it over long off to snatch a thrilling victory for his side.

READ: Ramiz Raja offers a piece of advice to Babar Azam amid rough patch

WATCH: Mohammad Amir fails to defend 16 runs in the final over

ANTIGUA: Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir had a forgetful outing at the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2024 as he failed to defend 16 runs off the final over.

Amir, representing Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in the ongoing tournament, needed to defend 16 runs against Guyana Amazon Warriors with Dwaine Pretorius on strike.

The left-arm pacer started well as he barred Pretorius from scoring with a delivery, angled across and out of the batter’s arc.

He then looked to cramp the batter in his legs with a yorker but bowled a low full toss instead and paid the price as Pretorius hit it for a boundary behind square.

Pretorius glimmered a ray of hope for the Warriors with another boundary towards the same region.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by CPL T20 (@cplt20)

Mohammad Amir was phenomenal in his opening spell, conceding just three runs off two overs and also bowled a maiden but his death bowling was far from his best.

Speaking at the post-match ceremony, Antigua and Barbuda Falcons’ captain Chris Green termed the loss “unfortunate” but extended his support to Mohammad Amir despite his death bowling debacle.

“It is unfortunate. These two games going down to the last ball. We have none from two. We can learn so many things from these games. I am proud of how we fought,” said Green.

“Amir is one of the best bowlers in the world. When you bowl the hard overs, you have to show up as a human at times. We move forward now. Look you can find so many moments in cricket.

“We were ahead of the game. 10-15 runs short. Was hard to stop set batters. We missed our spots in the last stages of the game. The shot over long-off and cover was amazing. Not time to panic. We can be disappointed. We fought till the end. Different individuals have stood up. Still, 8 games to go in the tournament.”

In the CPL 2024 opener, Antigua and Barbuda Falcons succumbed to a one-wicket defeat against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.

READ: Olympic Gold medalist Djokovic stunned out of US Open

Four Pakistan players granted NOCs for CPL 2024: sources

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has granted No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to four players including pace bowler Mohammad Amir for the upcoming Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2024.

The sources revealed that along with Amir, explosive wicketkeeper Azam Khan and season opener Fakhar Zaman and all-rounder have also been issued NOCs.

The 12th edition of the CPL will run from August 29 to October 6 and will feature six teams competing for the silverware.

Azam Khan will return to represent Guyana Amazon Warriors, while Amir, Imad and Fakhar Zaman will be in action for the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons.

Notably, Saim Ayub, who played a key role in Guyana Amazon Warriors’s CPL title victory last season, was denied an NOC owing to his commitments to the Pakistan Test team.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The young opening batter is part of the Pakistan squad for the ongoing two-match Test series against Bangladesh.

It’s worth noting that last month PCB decided against issuing the NOCs to Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi to participate in the Global T20 (GT20) Canada 2024.

According to the cricketing body, the three all-format players were denied NOCs, in light of Pakistan’s busy and packed cricket calendar in the period from August 2024 to March 2025 which includes ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Prior to that, the PCB had also declined permission to Naseem Shah for The Hundred on the same grounds.

READ: Cristiano Ronaldo breaks silence on retirement plans

Five Pakistan cricketers roped in for CPL 2024

A total of five Pakistan cricketers were roped in for the upcoming Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2024 after the player auction took place on Monday.

The 12th edition of the CPL will run from August 29 to October 6 and will feature six teams competing for the silverware.

Although the six CPL 2024 franchises had already completed most of their recruitment through retentions and pre-signings, Kyle Mayers was the first to be signed in the players’ draft, joining St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.

However, it was the United States of America (USA) international Aaron Jones, who headlined the players’ draft as the right-handed batter, a Barbados passport holder, was picked by St Lucia Kings as a local signing.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Guyana Warriors, the defending champions, focused more on all-rounders as they roped in Raymon Reifer and Ronaldo Alimohamed.

Earlier, they retained Pakistan internationals Saim Ayub and Azam Khan and South African veteran Imran Tahir, who played a pivotal role in leading the side to their maiden title.

Meanwhile, Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, which emerged as a new team, picked the most players in the draft including the Pakistan trio of Mohammad Amir, Imad Wasim and Fakhar Zaman.

Pakistan Cricketers to participate in CPL 2024

Guyana Warriors: Saim Ayub and Azam Khan.

Antigua and Barbuda Falcons: Mohammad Amir, Imad Wasim and Fakhar Zaman.

CPL 2024 squads

Barbados Royals: Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, David Miller, Quinton de Kock, Maheesh Theekshana, Alick Athanaze, Naveen-ul-Haq, Obed McCoy, Kevin Wickham, Keshav Maharaj, Kadeem Alleyne, Rahkeem Cornwall, Isai Thorne, Nathan Sealy, Nyeem Young, Rivaldo Clarke, Ramon Simmonds.

Guyana Amazon Warriors: Imran Tahir, Shimron Hetmyer, Saim Ayub, Shai Hope, Romario Shepherd, Azam Khan, Gudakesh Motie, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Keemo Paul, Dwaine Pretorius, Kevin Sinclair, Raymon Reifer, Ronaldo Alimohamed, Shamar Joseph, Kevlon Anderson, Matthew Nandu, Junior Sinclair.

Antigua and Barbuda Falcons: Imad Wasim, Brandon King, Fabian Allen, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Amir, Chris Green, Fakhar Zaman, Roshon Primus, Justin Greaves, Hayden Walsh, Jahmar Hamilton, Teddy Bishop, Kofi James, Shamar Springer, Kelvin Pitman, Jewel Andrew, Joshua James.

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots: Kyle Mayers, Wanindu Hasaranga, Rilee Rossouw, Evin Lewis, Sherfane Rutherford, Sikandar Raza, Nuwan Thushara, Andre Fletcher, Tristan Stubbs, Dominic Drakes, Mikyle Louis, Odean Smith, Joshua da Silva, Veerasammy Permaul, Ryan John, Ashmead Nedd, Johann Layne.

St Lucia Kings: Heinrich Klaasen, Faf du Plessis, Alzarri Joseph, Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Noor Ahmad, David Wiese, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Matthew Forde, Aaron Jones, Khary Pierre, Khari Campbell, Johann Jeremiah, Shadrack Descarte, Mikkel Govia, McKenny Clarke, Akeem Auguste.

Trinbago Knight Riders: Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Nicholas Pooran, Tim David, Akeal Hosein, Jason Roy, Dwayne Bravo, Josh Little, Waqar Salamkheil, Jayden Seales, Ali Khan, Mark Deyal, Keacy Carty, Terrence Hinds, Nathan Edward, Shaquere Parris.

READ: Former Pakistan cricketer slams Shaheen over altercation with Yousuf